Handbag burglary 12-21-09

Media Release

Police are investigating a series of crimes stemming from the theft of a handbag.

On Friday (December 18) at about 5:47 p.m., South Hilo Patrol officers responded to an address on Lono Street in Hilo to investigate a reported theft. The victim reported that she was parking in her carport when a man confronted her, reached into her vehicle and stole her handbag containing miscellaneous items and an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspect was last seen running in the mauka direction on Lono Street and entering a dark two-door pickup truck parked on the shoulder. The truck, which may have been a Toyota, was last seen headed in the mauka direction on Lono Street.

The suspect is described as a local male, in his early-to-mid 30s with a dark complexion and a "dirty" appearance. He was last seen wearing surf shorts and a light-colored shirt.

Police have classified the case as a first-degree burglary and have also initiated first-degree unauthorized entry into motor vehicle and second-degree theft investigations.

Police ask that anyone with information about this incident call Officer Aaron Yamanaka at 961-2211 or the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.